Lady Cats Soccer Team Finishes Strong, Has Cupcake Bash Honoring Seniors (10/28/18)

(Above photo Lady Cats action against Punxsutawney)

(Article by Coach Schonbachler and Jeff Grabiak)

As the 2019 soccer season came to a close, the Clarion Lady Cats found themselves riding a 2 game win streak.  The team finished their final week with games at Ridgway and Kane, along with a final home game against Punxsutawney.   

With 11 available players, the team headed to Ridgway.  Hannah Hazlett moved from goal to defense and Ava Cherico moved from defense to forward.  Evelyn Lerch started the scoring for Clarion when she snuck behind the Lady Elker defense on a Lauren Troutman free kick.  Ava Cherico added a second goal with a fantastic header off an Anna Gribik cross.  Gribik added a goal of her own to give the Lady Cats a 3-1 victory.

The following day, a Clarion squad of 10 headed north to face the Kane Lady Wolves.  Once again Evelyn Lerch made a run from her defensive position to give the Lady Cats a 1-0 lead. 

Kane evened the score on a penalty kick, but Clarion regained the lead when Lauren Troutman scored on a Clarion penalty kick.  Joyce Kim scored her first goal of the season, giving Clarion a 3-1 lead.  With 11 minutes left, the Lady Cats were dealt a blow when defensive captain Jenna Miller left the game with an ankle injury.  The team defended brilliantly over the last 11 minutes, led by Megan Stahlman, Breanna Hannold, and Evelyn Lerch.  Although the team was down 2 players, they earned a hard fought 3-2 victory.  

The team finished up the 2019 season at home with a Senior Night game against the Punxsutawney Lady Chucks.  Seniors Lauren Troutman and Megan Stahlman were honored for their leadership and sacrifices made for the team over the past 4 years.  They proceeded to play their best games of the season, unfortunately Lauren’s game ended early when a persistent injury took her out of the game, but only after she scored the opening goal.

 Megan quickly stepped in Laruen’s absence and controlled the midfield for the balance of the game.  Ruby Smith had the best game of her season, notching her fist ever hat trick. 

Ava Cherico added her 2nd goal in 3 games and Anna Gribik added to her team leading goal total, giving her 9 for the season.  The team’s defense of Jenna Miller, Hannah Hazlett, Evelyn Lerch, and Breanna Hannold neutralized the Punxy offense all evening, helping the goalkeeping duo of Chesney Boggess and Hannah Hazlett to their 2nd shutout win this season.

After starting the season 0-8-1, the Lady Cats finished with a final record of 5-8-1.  The team will officially end the 2019 season with their annual banquet and awards night on Tuesday October 29th. 

After the final game with Punxsutawney, the Lady Cats players, Coach Chris Schonbachler, family members and friends got together to enjoy cupcakes, to recognize the end of the season and honoring seniors Lauren Troutman and Meghan Stahlman.

(Thanks to Coach Schonbachler and Jeff Grabiak. Congratulations Lauren, Meghan and all the Lady Cats!!!!)